The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-02-23
Republican Views.

city instituted the celebration of Abra-
ham Lincoln's birthday by appropriate
recognition in the way of gathering
of prominent republicans and discuss
ing the duties of the party. Some of
the views of the distinguished men
present and who sent letters to be read
on the occasion are interesting. Sena-
tor Hawley said that the republican
party &C carried the ark of covenant as
the instinct of the future, and believed
in liberty, justice and equality and the
flag that symbolzes ALL" Governor
Foraker of Ohio pleaded for definite
American policy; fearless, aggressive,
unfinching and positive leadership; a
free ballot and fair count, and pro-
tective tariff for the sake of protection.
Senator-elect Hiscock spoke for pro-
lection of American labor and for fed
eral aid for American commerce. Sena-
tor Harrison satirized the mugwumps;
he believes that " reform must begin,
progress and end within the party"
He reasons that there is no political or
ganization outside of the republican
party that has any reformative power
to spare. Chauncey M. Depew said
the democratic party presents nothing
in its existence to inspire the imagna-
ton, to appeal to the enthusiasm or
warm the patriotism of youth. Cover
nor Oglesby of Illinois paid an eloquent
tribute to the sagacity, the wisdom and
patriotism of the republican party. In
considering the duties of the future the
past should not be forgotten. Henry
Cabot Lodge said, with great truth, that
unless civil service reform was carried
out with a sincere belief in it, it were
better to continue the old "spoils sys-
tenn as the Cleveland administration
is doing.
Among the letters read was one from
Mr.. Blaine, which closed as follows:
"It is the republican party, whatever
changes it may undergo, that carries
the government-that has the instinct
of the future and believes that liberty,
justice and equality must live beneath
these flags we see above us. The po-
litical organization which supported
Mr.. Lincoln has a right to claim the
prestige of his name as it continues to
labor in the great field where he
wrought until all the harvests of his
planting shall be gathered and gar
nered." Senator Sherman wrote at
some length and made many strong
but true statements. After reviewing
the past record of the republican party,
the senator said:
We have tried a change, and what has
been the result? A discordant party I'M
able to agree upon line of foreign and do
nestle policy, divided upon the tariff, hope
lessly at sea on all financial questions, OBJ
sequous in its foreign relations, dis
tinguished only for the marked prominence
it has given to confederate soldiers in foreign
courts and now, with its term of Office half
spent, house of representatives, demo-
cratic by large majority, is unable to for
mulate a single measure of political i'm
portance upon which it can agree with the
democratic President. His notions about
civil service, however sincere, are feebly
formulated and observed and are jeered at
and derided by his party associates; not one
of his recommendations are supported. He
seems to have abandoned the great Ameri-
can policy known as the Monroe doctrine,
and discourages or opposes the efforts made
by President Arthur to improve and extend
our commercial relations with neighboring
American republics Surely the time has
arrived when the republican party should
assume again its great mission. The time
is opportune. Under the operation of laws
placed upon the statute-book by republican
administrations taxes are so levied as to
produce overlooking revenue without Sc
rious burden upon the people We are at
liberty to choose between reducing our reve-
nues or expanding our surplus in great
and benetcent objects of natural desire.
We can combine the two lines of public
policy. We could readily reduce the tax on
sugar, while giving encouragement to do
nestle production in the form of bounty.
We could repeal or reduce all taxes that do
not tend to encourage and protect domestic
production. We could commence and es-
tablish a system of coast defences that will
guard the great arteries of our commerce.
We could place our navy again in a condi-
ton to be respected and renew our partici-
patton in foreign commerce. We could
authorize our citizens to build new routes
of communication across the continent and
protect them in their rights. We could,
with our added strength and wealth, give
assistance and encouragement to all the
American republics founded upon our eX-
ample. We could make suitable CONNER
cial arrangements with our neighbor, the
Dominion of Canada, and thus avoid all flu
ture controversies about the rights of our
people to fish III American waters, and in
this way, by gradual measures, knit and
mould the interests and desires of our neigh
bors with our own. The republican party
alone holds such conception of the nature
and character of the national government
its powers and duties as will enable it to
provide and administer a line of policy in
harmony with our wealth, our strength and
our productions.